Compare Rahab's actions to Hebrews 11:31. How is her faith highlighted? Setting the Scene in Joshua • Israel’s spies slip into Jericho (Joshua 2). • Rahab, a resident and innkeeper, hides them on her roof. • She secures a promise of safety for herself and her household. • When Jericho falls (Joshua 6), the promise is kept: “But Rahab the prostitute and her family were spared”. Rahab’s Actions: A Snapshot • Welcomed the spies at personal risk. • Hid them from the king’s men. • Testified to God’s supremacy—“for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on earth below” (Joshua 2:11). • Sent the pursuers the wrong way, enabling the spies’ escape. • Hung the scarlet cord as the sign of covenant protection. Faith Recognized in Hebrews 11:31 “By faith the prostitute Rahab … was not killed with those who were disobedient”. • Scripture singles her out in the great “faith chapter,” alongside patriarchs and prophets. • Her faith is credited before a single Israelite ever crossed the Jordan—pure trust in God’s word, not in circumstances. How Her Faith Shines • Confession—She openly declares, “I know that the LORD has given you this land” (Joshua 2:9). • Courage—Risked her life and livelihood to side with God’s people. • Covenant Loyalty—The scarlet cord mirrors the Passover blood, pointing to salvation by substitution. • Obedience—Did exactly as instructed; faith moved her to concrete action. • Separation—Stood apart from “those who were disobedient,” sharing Israel’s deliverance instead of Jericho’s judgment. • Legacy—James 2:25 highlights the same truth: “Rahab the prostitute was shown to be righteous by her deeds”. Lessons for Believers Today • Saving faith trusts God’s word before victory is visible. • True belief leads to bold, costly obedience. • God delights to redeem unlikely people and write them into His story (see Matthew 1:5). • A single act of faith can change an entire family’s destiny. |
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